It is not true, as reported in social networks, that the United States is notifying them by letter of the cancellation of visas to Latinos who have traveled to that country to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
Twitter and Facebook posts allow users from countries such as
Colombia and Mexico They have shared reports assuring that the visas of these people, who entered the US for tourism and were immunized, will be canceled.
“Today, letters from the North American government are reaching Colombians who have traveled to Miami with the tourist apology and have been vaccinated. They are canceling their visas,” one submission claims. The issue became a trend last week, after local media reiterated that information, though they later clarified that there was no confirmation of such a move.
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In Mexico, the same versions circulated throughout the year thanks to various press releases that raised the controversy over so-called “vaccine tourism,” which was spreading due to free access to drugs in several US states. The most shared messages were the messages that involve the television presenter Juan Jose Origel, who posted on his social networks that he had been vaccinated in Miami and created a wave of responses on social platforms.
According to internet users, Origel’s visa, as well as other Mexican tourists who have not been identified, has been “canceled for life” and had to “pay a fine of $ 15,000,” an information that was later denied by authorities.
The truth is, US diplomatic sources have assured that they are not aware of the alleged cancellations of visas for these reasons, as the B1 / B2 tourist permit gives access to medical treatment. However, they have called for caution as immunization is a priority for civilians and residents.
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Hundreds of people have had to endure long lines to access the covid vaccination days in the United States.
MICHAEL REYNOLDS / EFE
“We are not aware of those letters that people claim to have received after receiving the vaccine in the US. We do not keep an eye on who gets vaccinated and we are not responding (with measures) to these people’s visas, ”they explained in a conversation with the media, including Efe, consular sources of the US embassy in Colombia.
According to the officials, “we are not aware of these cases in the section on visas for non-immigrants” and “we have not worked on the matter”. “The embassy is completely unaware of the reports that have appeared in recent days. Travel to the US for medical treatment is permitted, but I also want to emphasize that the US vaccination program is for US citizens and legal residents.” of the diplomats.
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According to the US State Department website, the most common type of visa to visit the country temporarily, the B1 / B2, provides access to medical procedures, among other things. In addition, the country ensures that “everyone, not just the rich and well-connected people, has the protection and attention they deserve” with regard to vaccination.
In this sense, states like Texas, Arizona and Louisiana They started with immunization without restrictions or recording patient immigration status, while others, such as Florida or New York, subsequently regulated access to the avalanche of foreigners and non-residents.
Florida protects itself from vaccine tourism
Exactly on January 21, the health authorities of Florida, one of the favorite destinations for Latinos, announced that residents only have priority in the vaccination plan. Florida chief surgeon Scott A. Rivkees issued an injunction requiring vaccine providers to require recipients to prove their residency in the state.
According to Florida Department of Health data shared at the time, of the more than 1.1 million doses of covid-19 vaccines used to that date, more than 39,000 were received by nonresidents.
We do not keep an eye on who gets vaccinated
The United States is already topping 31.5 million confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and the 565,000 deaths from the covid-19 disease, according to the independent Johns Hopkins University census. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some 75 million people are fully vaccinated in the United States.
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